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The world orthopedic biomaterials market, valued at $4 billion in 2006, is projected to accelerate in tandem with the world’s aging population, reaching $8.8 billion in 2012, according to Orthopedic Biomaterials: World Market, a new report by Kalorama Information.

The report pinpoints changing demographics (world population is expected to include 2 billion individuals aged 60 or older by 2050), improved longevity, and higher quality-of-life expectations as the driving forces behind the growth. The number of musculoskeletal conditions being diagnosed and treated is increasing. For example, in Europe, 15-20% of all primary care consultations are for musculoskeletal conditions. In the United States, one out of every seven Americans reports a musculoskeletal impairment.

BMP (bone morphogenetic proteins) products, the newest and fastest growing segment in the orthopedic biomaterials market, are expected to increase their sales and holdings in the market during the forecasted period, growing by a CAGR of 25% to $2.9 billion and accounting for 39% of the market. Ceramic product sales, which accounted for 25% of the market in 2006, are projected to grow at a steady CAGR of 10% between 2006-2012 but account for only 21% of the orthopedic materials market by 2012.

The debate on nanoparticle silver rages on, this time in the form of a CNN news item that presents both the benefits and concerns surrounding the miracle metal.

At the forefront is the material’s many beneficial uses at the nanoscale. Ionic silver is often touted as an effective antimicrobial that can be used in hospitals and commercial OTC products with minimal risk to humans. For example, Noble Biomaterials makes X-Static, which according to company president Bill McNally is used in sportswear, socks, hospital linens, and military uniforms.

“Silver [is] antibacterial. It’s used in every burn care center,” McNally told CNN.

On the other side are critics whose concerns are two-fold. The first is that silver’s properties may hold unknown consequences to the environment. The second is that silver’s popularity may increase that risk.

Andrew Maynard, science adviser to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, a joint effort of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and Pew Charitable Trusts said silver’s ability to use multiple mechanisms to target germs otherwise resistant to antibiotics makes it especially effective, but also may make it persist longer in the environment.

“There isn’t a huge amount that is unknown [about silver],” said Maynard. “Is there any risk to the environment? That’s a little bit fuzzier. There are issues out there [for which] there aren’t easy answers.”

“The projected uses are just too broad,” said Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist at the National Resources Defense Council. “It is being used around the world in anything that you would want to kill bacteria … It’s reckless [and] many of the uses are frivolous.”.

But is singling out nanotech silver is unfair? Michael DiRienzo, executive director of The Silver Institute, an industry trade group said silver is viewed as less dangerous than most other metals and is being used in microscopic quantities.

“We’re encouraging the federal government not to rush headfirst into regulations,” he said, although he does not oppose registering silver-containing products to EPA.

So who is right? Industry has a significant economic interest in making sure silver is safe. But will the lure of prosperity override the concerns for environment?Can we trust EPA, which has been accused of bowing to industry and political pressures in the past, to make the best decision?

This may be an example of quick adoption and regrets later, or it could just be fear of the unknown standing in the way of significant medical breakthroughs.

I personally think regulation would be the safest course. And a manufacturer of silver-containing products might agree, if only to allay these fears and get back to the business of business.

Reportlinker.com has released market research related to the worldwide orthopedics industry. The report is called Orthopedics Biomaterials, The World Market, 2nd edition.

It covers orthopedic biomaterial products, including allografts, ceramics, and polymers. Revenues, forecasts, and competitive market shares are available for each category. The report also discusses global trends and companies in the industry.

Rat heart muscle cells have been grown on the surface of a polymer, reports Nature news service. And the resulting thin film can twist, grip and pulse like a real piece of muscle.

Researchers hope the material may one day be used to make patches to repair a disease-damaged heart, although it may also find a use in tiny robotic devices.

The thin films were made by Adam Feinberg and his colleagues, at Harvard University. They used a thin film of polydimethylsiloxane, onto which they painted lines of fibronectin (a protein that assists in natural wound healing).

Heart muscle cells from rats were then seeded onto the plastic, and they grew along the protein lines in a structured way. They behave like normal heart muscle fibers, engaging in actions such as contraction. “This gets all the muscle cells aligned in the same directions,” says Feinberg, “so they all contract in the same direction.”

The films can easily be manipulated and cut into shapes with a scalpel, although they must be kept moist, with the right balance of electrolytes and nutrients, to survive.

Polymer Technology Group (PTG), a biomaterials company, announced that it has tripled its R&D and manufacturing capacity by expanding existing operations in the Temescal Business Park of Berkeley, CA, to 53,000 sq ft. PTG is now one of the largest biomaterials companies in the medical device industry.

“PTG has truly pioneered the analysis of biomaterial surfaces and interfaces,” said Dr. Gabor Somorjai, a distinguished professor of chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, who also is Director of the Surface Science and Catalysis Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “What PTG has done is to increase its scientific understanding of why things work, why things don’t work, and based on their knowledge have developed a whole new generation of biomaterials. They are an extremely important company in the biomaterials sector of the medical device industry.”

The new R&D facility includes a state-of-the-art laboratory and pilot plant for new polymer materials development. According to president and founder Bob Ward, this expansion also increases the efficiency of production scale polymer synthesis and medical device components manufacturing.

Few people that I know think tissue engineering will advance without exploitation of stem cell technology. There is great promise in areas ranging from cardiac reconstruction to dentistry. Because these therapies are cellular in origin (and hence complex); it is likely that peptide (chains of amino acids) and protein-based therapeutics will lead the way. Here is why: cells are complex living systems that excrete countless peptides and proteins which impact other cells within the body. Because peptides and protein therapies are here and now, expect to see a continued need for novel and innovative delivery systems. Over time, there will be a market pull for delivery systems for the stem cell therapies as well. You will need precise biomaterials specifically engineered for sustaining cell implants as they integrate with the body. Rethinking is needed for even the most basic and long established devices. Will you and your company be ready?

Stephen Quinn, CEO
Ratner BioMedical Group LLC